NIST S pecial Publication 500-332 The NIST Cloud Federation Reference Architecture C raig A. Lee Robert B. Bohn Martial Michel T his publication is available free of charge from: https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.500-332 NIST Special Publication 500 -332 The NIST Cloud Federation Reference Architecture Craig A. Lee Information Systems and Cyber Division The Aerospace Corporation Robert B. Bohn NIST Cloud Computing Program Advanced Networking Technologies Division Information Technology Laboratory NIST Martial Michel Data Machines Corporation This publication is available free of charge from: https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.500- 332 February 2020 U.S. Department of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., Secretary National Institute of Standards and Technology Walter Copan, NIST Director and Undersecretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology i National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 500 -332 92 pages ( February 2020) Certain commercial entities, equipment, or materials may be identified in this document to describe an experimental procedure or concept adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by NIST, nor is it intended to imply that the entities, materials, or equipment are necessarily the best available for the purpose. There may be references in this publication to other publications currently under development by NIST in accordance with its assigned statutory responsibilities. The information in this publication, including concepts and methodologies, may be used by Federal agencies even before the completion of such companion publications. Thus, until each publication is completed, current requirements, guidelines, and procedures, where they exist, remain operative. For planning and transition purposes, Federal agencies may wish to closely follow the development of these new publications by NIST. Organizations are encouraged to review all publications during public comment periods and provide feedback to NIST. All NIST publications are available at http://www.nis t.gov/publication-portal.cfm . Comments on this publication may be submitted to: National Institute of Standards and Technology Attn: Advanced Networking Division, Information Technology Laboratory 100 Bureau Drive (Mail Stop 8920) Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8920 All comments are subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ This publication is available free of charge from: https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.500-332 ii Reports on Computer Systems Technology The Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) at NIST promotes the U.S. economy and public welfare by providing technical leadership for the Nation’s measurement and standards infrastructure. ITL develops tests, test methods, reference data, proof of concept implementations, and technical analyses to advance the development and productive use of information technology (IT). ITL’s responsibilities include the development of management, administrative, technical, and physical standards and guidelines for the cost- effective security and privacy of other than national security- related information in Federal information systems. This document reports on ITL’s research, guidance, and outreach efforts in IT and its collaborative activities with industry, government, and academic organizations. Abstract This document presents the NIST Federated Cloud Reference Architecture model. This actor/role -based model used the guiding principles of the NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture to develop an eleven component model. This document describes these components individually and how they function as an ensemble. There are many possible deployments and governance options which lend themselves to cre